For years now the harvest has been less than it should be. Last year the people of Oisin's village sacrificed a goat, but their god did not come. Now, in desperation, a human sacrifice has been suggested, and Oisin, recently orphaned and feeling life is not worth living, volunteers. But the god Belinos is not quite what he seems, and Oisin's sacrifice will not be what he expects, for Belinos first came out of the darkness to drink the sacrificial blood not because he was a god, but because he was a vampire. This is just the beginning of the changes to Oisin's life, as he is drawn further and further into a world of gods and magic, where the most unexpected thing is not even his own blossoming talent, but the blossoming feelings he has for Belinos. Love between mortal and immortal is not without its difficulties, though. As outright war among the gods threatens, Oisin will end up making a far greater difference in the conflict than he could ever have dreamed possible.

The Sacrifice

Sudden clarity shocked through him and he said “shatter!” with every ounce of his will behind it. The knife in Caydren’s hand did shatter, shivering apart instantly into dozens of tiny pieces, sharp metal shards flying everywhere. Oisin was heedless of their stinging impacts as Caydren, with a hiss of rage, finally tore his arm free of Oisin’s grip


“I can do magic too, you fool,” he snarled, and put his hand to the amulet at his throat.


“I don’t think so,” said Oisin, and lifting his hand said, “Shatter!” again to the amulet.


It did, black and gold power fraying into threads that melted away even as fragments of carved bone flew.


Caydren gaped at Oisin. “You…How…You can’t do that!”


“I can. I did. And we’re through. Go away, now, or I’ll kill you where you stand.”


“I…No, I was trying to save you. You’re being used…”


“You’re the one who’s being used. You can tell Alitius that his feud is as doomed as his godhood. But used or not, our friendship is over. Now go.”


Chapter 37